Closure caps



Oct. 3, 1961 R. PoToFF ET AL CLOSURE CAPS s l M u TW e NO m mm P ,ma I e N e m .n

U S R 2 Filed Feb. 2, 1960 WERNER VOG T.

ATTORNEY.

Oct. 3, 1961 R. PoToFF ET AL CLOSURE CAPS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 2, 1960 FIG. I6.

INVENTORS. RUBIN POTOFF. WERNER VOGT.

ATTORNY.

3,002,647 CLOSURE CAPS f i. Rubin Foto, Waterbury, and Werner Vogt, Torrington; Conn., assrgnors to Metal Fabrications Incorporated, Waterbury, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Fiied Feb. 2, v1960, Ser. No. 6,217 Z Claims. (Cl. 220-24) This invention relates to l closure caps and a method of making same, and is particularly, although not exclu sri/ely, directed to the manufacture of closure caps having an enlarged crown joined to a collar for embracing engagement with the top of a container.

In the fabrication of caps of the above-mentioned category-especially of the ornamental type used `for perfume and cosmetic containers and where a substantially spherical crown is joined to a collar of reduced transverse proportions for slide iitting over the neck of the container--it is a common practice to draw a metal shell to a generally cylindrical coniiguration closed at the crown end and open atvthe other end, and then expand the crown portion by the use of a rubber punch or by hydraulic means. This method frequently causes undue stretching ofthe metal withresulting ssures, and is characterized by the further disadvantage-of undesirable limitations in the size of the crown, and high operational costs due to the relatively short life of the dies used. The casting of single-piece shellshas not been found to be yexpedient because of the undercut coniguration due to the relatively smallcollarportion; and where suitable split moulds are used, the necessary finishing operation often renders the product too costly for its intended use. Moreover, casting results in a relatively rigid cap, whereby the collar portion is not adapted for yieldable accommodation to containersrofslightly different neck proportions. `Attempts have been made to overcome these diiiiculties with two-piece constructions, but these have entailed relatively costly assembling operations, often requiring skilled operators. .Y Moreover, it has beenfound that the two components of such structures often become it@ Sferesliatifj- 3,002,647 Patented Oct. 3, ..1

' FIGURE 4 is an enlarged exploded axial section of th two components of the device as shown in FIG. 2, but in inverted position.

FIGURE 5 is a section taken along lines 5-5 of the collar component shown in FIG. 4.

FIGURE 6 is a section taken along lines 6-6 of the crown component shown in FIG. 4. FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 7-7 of said crown component shown in FIG. 4.

FIGURE 8 is a vertical sectional elevation of the components of FIG. 4 shown in assembled relation and operatively disposed on a die of a punch-press, the punch thereof being shown in a retracted position.

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevation of the parts of FIG. 8, the punch being shown in its nal position at the completion of its operative stroke, the two components of the closure device being shown attached relation.

FIGURE 9A is a section of FIG. 9 taken along line 9A9A.

FIGURE 10 is a vertical axial section of the collar component of another form of our invention.

FIGURE 11 is a top View of FIG. 10.

FIGURE l2 is a vertical axial section of the crown component of said modied form of our invention. A.

FIGURE 13 is a section of FIG. 12 taken along line rotatably detached under the usual twisting action in i removing the cap from its container.

It is accordingly an object of our invention to provide a cap of the above-mentioned category, and a method of manufacture thereof, that have none of the disadvantages aforementioned. More specifically, it isvour objective to enable a cap of the said type-even with a highly ornamental crown-to be quickly and inexpensively fabricated, without the use of operators having special skills,

`and without the danger of marring the surface of the caps crown.

It is a further object of our invention to provide a multiple-piece unit, with components that are readily produced by conventional press-machine methods, capable of being firmly assembled by a relatively light punchpress operation into fixed mutual relation, so that there is no danger of either longitudinal or rotational movement of one component within the device, 4even under positive twisting manipulations. And 4it is our objective to providea cap with the aforesaid features, capable of ready manufacture as aforesaid, and also having a special resilient collar portion adapted for adjustable tting over container necks of slightly different proportions.

Other objects, features and advantages will appear from the drawings and the description hereinafter given.

Referring to the drawings, Y FIGURE l is a front elevation of a closure cap according to one form of our invention;

`FIGURE 2 is a section ofVFIG. l taken along lines 22.

FIGURE 3 is 33.

Ia section of FIG. 2 taken along lines l.

FIGURE 14 is a front elevation of the rivet member constituting a component of said modied form of our invention. p FIGURE 15 is a top view of FIG. 14.

FIGURE 16 is a vertical sectional elevation of the components of said modified form shown in assembled relation and operatively disposed on a die of a punch press, the punch thereof being shown in retracted position.

FIGUREN is a vertical sectional view of the parts of FIGURE 16 with the punch shown in its inal position at the completion of its operative stroke, the three com,- ponents of the closure device lbeing shown in attached relation. 1

In the form of closure cap to which FIGS. 1 to 9 are directed, the cap comprises the crown component generally designated 20 and the collar component generally designated Z1. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the body 22 of the crown component is substantially spherical and with ornamental portions comprising the pressed out portions 23 and the central boss 24 protruding outwardly from the body 22, there being an inwardly extending integral post or rivet 25 in substantial registry with said boss 24 and comprising the base 26 of substantially square cross-section and the hollow shank 27. The said collar component 21 comprises an inner shell portion 23 of generally cylindrical configuration joined to the outer band or collar portion 29 and forming therebetween the annular shoulder 30. The outer end of the collar component is open at 31, the inner end having the endwall 32 in the center of which is the inwardly extending laterally enclosed retaining wall `33 dening the central opening 33a proportioned to receive therethrough the said rivet 2S when the device is operatively assembled in the manner hereinbelow described. Said wall 33 is oi square configuration proportioned for engagement with said rivet base 26 when the crown and collar components are in operative assembled relation. The said crown 20 is open at 34, said open portions being defined by the annular edge 35 which is proportioned `to engage said annular shoulder of the collar component 21 when said components have been operatively assembled.

The collar 29 of component 21 is of smaller transverse proportions than the maximum transverse proportions jof the crown component 20, thereby making an attractive 'combination and one adapted for easy manual manipula- 3 'f tion. While the crown component may be of cast material, the collar component 21 is of drawn metal having resilient properties. In the preferred form of our invention, the `collar portion 29vhas been reshaped from its original cylindrical configuration to that of a slightly distorted three-sided figure, as illustrated in FIG. 5, so that it could be adjustably tted over, and brought into frictional resilient engagement with container neck portions of( slightly different dimensions.

In the method of practicing our invention, the collar and crown components 2G and 2l are assembled, the inner shell portion 28 of the collar component being inserted within the interior of the crown component with the end wall 32 in engagement with the body portion 22 of the crown and the retaining wall 33 in embracing engagemeut with the square base 26 of the rivet 25, the said rivet shank extending therebeyond. The assembled components are then placed upon the concave operative surface 36 of the die 37 operatively associated with the punch press bolster 38 and the punch 59-no details of the punch press being illustrated inasmuch as they are Well understood by those skilled in the art. The said surface 36 is proportioned and shaped so as to conform tothe outer configuration of the body portion 22 of the crown 20, including the pressed out portions 23 and the boss 24. As shown in FIG. 8, the placement of the assembly in the punch press is such that the open end 31 of the collar component 2l is directly below the punch v39, the latter being in longitudinal alignment with the rivet 25. The punch 39 is provided with a pilot extension 40 proportioned to enter central cavity 41 of the rivet, and an annular shoulder 42 proportioned to engage the 43 of the rivet. Y

When the punch 39 is operatively depressed, it will engage said rim 43 and swage the upper part of the shank 27 outwardly over and against the edge 44 of the upstanding wall 33, to form the flange 45 which prevents a detachment of the shell and crown components. The arrangement lis such that the punch engages no part of the crown except the central portion directly over the boss 24 (see FIG. 9), so that `while a firm connection is effected between the crown and collar components, no damage can be done to the ornamental surface of the body portion 22. It will be noted that the central portion 46 of the die 37 is shaped to conform to the configuration of the boss 24, so that there can be no deformation of the outer surface of the boss due `to the impact of Vthe punch.

I-t will be further observed that there can be no relaft-ive turning movement of the crown 2t) with respect to the collar component 21, due to the non-circular crosssectional configuration -of the rivet base 26 and the confforming configuration of the retaining wall 33. Hence,

yoperative twisting manipulations of the crown component 20 during the removal of the closure from a container `will not cause a loosening of the crown component from the collar component.

In the form of our invention to which FIGS. 10 to `1 '7 are directed, there are three-components, the crown 'cornponent 47, the collar component 48 and the rivet 49. The body portion t) of the crown is substantially like that of the above-described form of crown, except that the .central portion 51 is somewhat thickened and contains fthe apertured portion 52 shaped-to conform to the shank I53 of said lrivet 49. Said rivet shank is non-circular in `'cross-section, the particular form illustrated comprising aat side S4 vand a substantially arcuate side 55, the head 56 'being a segment of a sphere. The said collar Acomponent 48 is substantially like the corresponding part kfirst above described, except that the end wall 57 hais a Icentral apertured portion 58 shaped to conform to the said shank '53 of the rivet 49.

In the method of practicing this form of our invention, the crown and collar components are brought Vinto l"assembled relation with said wall '57 of `component 48 in engagement with said wall 51 of component 47, and with the apertures 52 and 58 in congruent relation. Then the shank 53 of the rivet 49 is inserted through said apertures, with said rivet head S6 in engagement with the outer surface of said wall 51 Vof .the crown. The assembly is then placed upon the concave operative surface 59 of the rdie 6ft positioned in coactive relation to the punch 61. Upon the completionof the operative stroke of said punch,the upper portion 62 ofthe rivet shank 53 will be flattened into the shape of a flanged head 67 in pressing engagement with the upper surface 63 of the end wall S7 of the collar component (FIG. 17). The .three components are now held against detachment, substantially in the manner aforesaid; and due to the non-circular cross 'sectional configuration Yof the rivet shank 53 and the conforming Vapertured portions 52 and 525, there can be no relative rotary movement between said components.

lIn both of the forms and methods of our invention above described, the components are adapted for ready assembly; and by means Vof conventional punch press apparatus, a non-detachable and non-rotational assembly is effected, without damage to the ornamental surface of the crown.

In the above description, the invention has been disclosed merely byway of example and in preferred manner; but obviously many variations and modifications lmay be made therein. YIt is to be understood, therefore, that the invention fis not limited to any specific form or manner of practicing same, except insofar as such limitations are specified in the lappended claims.

We claim:

1. AIn a closure cap construction, a crown component and a collar component, said crown component Vhaving a hollow body portion open at one end and having an inwardly Vextending post at the other end, said open end Lbeing defined by `a peripheral edge, said post having a base of non-circular cross-section adjacent said body por- -tion and a shank extending beyond the base; said collar component having an inner shell portion, an outer collar band portion joined thereto, and an inner end wall, the Vend of ysaid collar component opposite said inner end wall being open, said inner end wall having an apertured portion therein comprising a lateral -wall extending in the longitudinal direction of s'aid base and being of non-circular configuration and proportioned for enveloping engagement -with said base; said inner shell portion being disposed Within the crown component, said collar band portion extending Aoutwardly, beyond sau'd crown component, said post extending inwardly through said aper- Ytured portion, the said lateral wall of the latter being in enveloping engagement only with said base, the innermost portion of said shank having a flange in Vengagement with the adjacent portion of said lateral wall of the collar component, whereby the Said crown and collar components are held in non-rotatable assembled relation only by said flange and vsaid lateral wall of said apertured portion.

2. In a closure cap construction, a crown component and a collar component, said crown component having a Vhollow body portion open at one end and having an inwardly extending post at the other end, said open end lbeing 4vdefined by a 4peripheral edge, said post having a proportions than the maximum transevrse portion of said crown component, said peripheral edge of said crown component being Ain encircling engagement with said annular shoulder, the end of said collar component opposite said inner end wall being open, said inner end wall having an apertured portion of non-circular configuration and proportioned for enveloping engagement with said base; said inner shell portion being disposed Within the crown component with said inner end Wall in abutment with the body portion of the crown component, said post extending inwardly through said apertured portion, the latter being in enveloping engagement with said base, the innermost portion of said post having a ange in engagement with the adjacent portion of said inner end wall of the collar component, whereby the said crown and collar components are held in non-rotatable assembled relation 6 only by said ange and the portion of the end wall immediately surrounding said apertured portion.

References Cited the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,563,886 Welker Dec. 1, 1925 1,579,421 Welker Apr. 6, 1926 1,806,224 Stant May 19, 1931 1,833,694 Stant Nov. 24, 1931 2,263,472 Reichenbach Nov. 18, 1941 

